We are the science inside UK defence and security. As an agency of the Ministry of Defence, we provide world-class expertise and deliver cutting-edge science and technology for the benefit of the UK and allies.

Whether it’s protecting against chemical and biological warfare, developing laser technology, harnessing the power of cyber or deploying people to military operations, the work we do here is critically important and highly hazardous. As our Chief Safety Officer, you’ll be responsible for embedding a philosophy of safety ownership across our organisation, making sure we carry out our work safely and offer technical advice that keeps others safe.

This brand new role will sit in a transformation team where you’ll establish and lead our safety culture, deliver a full internal audit programme, set our strategic safety direction and assure safe delivery across Dstl.

What you’ll do

You’ll take ownership of the overall safety capacity across Dstl, our partners and suppliers. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you’ll define our Health Safety & Environmental purpose, strategy and performance targets, while managing internal and external relationships at the highest level and putting wellbeing at the heart of everything you do.

This will include developing and sharing thought leadership, as well as using the latest scientific and technical theory to change our strategic thinking and grow our domain expertise.

Who we need

As a member of our senior leadership team, you’ll bring your extensive health and safety experience and strategic direction to ensure we can support a range of sensitive operational activities in a safe, secure, resilient, well-governed and assured manner.

You’ll need agility of thought and approach in managing complex safety risks, whilst ensuring legislative and policy compliance. As someone with extensive leadership experience and a track record of inspiring those you lead, you will build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders and find ways to get the best out of your diverse team.

You’ll also need Level 7 professional safety qualifications, membership of a relevant professional body, and the experience and credibility to influence, advise and challenge our Chief Executive and senior leadership.

You can be based at any of the following Dstl sites: Porton Down, Wiltshire, or Portsdown West, Hampshire. However, the majority of your time on site will be spent at Porton Down. You’ll also be required to travel to our other sites, as well as various MOD, government, partner and supplier locations.

All Dstl posts are reserved and open to UK Nationals only. This role is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. It may in the future require Developed Vetting, in this case, you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

If you have what it takes to shape the future of one of the UK’s most innovative and exciting defence organisations, apply today by clicking the Apply button.